Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans five years ago this week. Katrina's impact went beyond the loss of life and property to reveal deeply rooted attitudes about race many Americans thought had withered away. Jo Ann and Dave talked about the various aspects of Katrina's impacts, including the permanent displacement of over 100,000 residents, the reshaping of the city and the federal indictments against the New Orleans police.

The conversation doesn't end when the program does. You can join in additional discussion of the week's issue on our blog at kboo.fm/voicesfromtheedge (click on the "blog" tab). You'll find additional information, important links, comments from other listeners and commentary from Jo Ann and Dave. Have a question for our guests, but can't call in during the program? Post your questions on line so we can make them a part of the Voices discussion.

Host Marianne Barisonek speaks with Zaher Wahab, who just returned from five months in his native Afghanistan teaching other college professors at the country’s only graduate program in education.

Zaher Wahab was born and schooled in Afghanistan, received a B.A. in sociology from the American University of Beirut, an M.A. in comparative education from Teachers College, Columbia University and an M.A. in anthropology and a Ph.D. in international development education from Stanford University. Since joining the faculty at Lewis & Clark College, Professor Wahab has designed and taught about forty different graduate and undergraduate courses ranging from educational anthropology to international political economy.

Joe returns from vacation to join Abe in taking a snapshot of the body politic.

It's summer. It's hot, it's sticky, and an election looms in November. What can we expect? Nearly halfway through President Obama's first term, what is the state of the American zeitgeist? Has the president delivered on his promise of hope and change? Are the Teabaggers worth taking seriously (no, really ...)? Have we shrugged off the toxic malaise of the Bush Years? What can we expect on Election Day?

And perhaps most importantly, do Abe and Joe have anything worth saying?

This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave looked at the good and bad news of the week. Topics discussed included: federal funds being made available to Oregon to address budget shortfalls and whether those dollars will reach the people who really are in need; the impact of the new president of the Portland Police Association; shortcomings and risks with new assistance being offered to homeowners facing foreclosure; and missed economic development opportunities in emerging technologies.

Today's guests are Larry Collins, Michael Harper, and Furlton Burns from POPA, People of Purpose and Associates. Our topic is mentoring and supporting those with the greatest burdens stacked against them.

This is a very positive organization, providing invaluable resources for families, youth, and re-entry programs for the recently incarcerated. Find out what they're doing in and around YOUR community to make Portland a Better Place to Live.

Callers offered the following additional resources during the course of the show:

Hes been lighting up the Westcoast with his blend of electronic superfudge. Catch up with him about the new Chip Chop release, a few Portland shows and find out what goes on in the mind of the sonic scientist. It all starts at 8pm on Portlands own 90.7fm KBOO.